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Azad Foundation envisions a world where no child has to live and/or work on streets.

Walk for Identity- organized by Azad Foundation- demanding identity for street connected children

April 20, 2016

Walk for Identity- organized by Azad Foundation- demanding identity for street connected children

Azad foundation organized walk from Arts Lobby to UBL in which our panel guest speaker, Mr. Rehan Hashmi (Ex- MNA), Mr. Hamood Jaffery (Lawyer High court), and Professor Dr. Farah Iqbal (Head, Department of Psychology) along with team members of Azad Foundation demonstrated walk from Arts Lobby to UBL, demanding right to identity for street children. Students from various Arts and Social Sciences departments participated in the walk. Pakistan Street Child Football Team also participated in all activities; and further supported the issue by holding play cards during demonstration.

Azad Foundation organized street theatre at Arts lobby, University of Karachi on 11th April’ 2016. The same panel participated in the Street Theatre, based on the theme of the life of street children, and the concept that these children do not have proper identity or names that left no room for them to claim their basic rights. Theatre artist, Mr. Mehmood Bhatti and his team performed street theatre to highlight the importance of demanding identity for Street connected children. This was the first time that Arts lobby has observed any street theatre performance. The students encouraged the effort and also signed petition to demand identity for street connected children.

Art and Craft Activity with Street Children – demanding Identity for Street Connected Children

April 20, 2016

Art and Craft Activity with Street Children – demanding Identity for Street Connected Children

Azad Foundation celebrated international day for street children by organizing Arts and Craft activity with street connected children near the Shrine of Abdullah Shah Ghazi on 12th April 2016 from 10 am – 2pm. Total 90 children participated in the event. The event was organized to highlight the talent that is neglected, and wasted on street due to lack of provision of basic rights. Street Children showcased their talent by making art pieces, and were engaged in pottery painting. Volunteers with team members facilitated these children. Pakistan Street Child Football team also participated in the event.

Azad Foundation conducted full day activity on the theme, “Sign to demand identity for street children” at Dolmen City Mall, Clifton to celebrate International Day for street Children on 12th April’ 2016. This year theme is, “Right to identity.” Street Connected children, that estimate around 1.5 million (according to UNICEF) in Pakistan are deprived of their basic rights and fail to enjoy all the basic facilities that a common citizen can avail. These children are not considered as Pakistani citizens, nor do they have any law that provides them proper identity, or let them heard as Pakistani citizen. Azad Foundation has started this campaign to raise the voice against the issue of documentation and provision of right to identity through legal measures. Most of the visitors have endorsed and the activity is still in full swing till 11pm. Winners of Street Child Games 2016 also participated in the activity; encouraging visitors to sign petition for children like them. The petition is also made available online at Azad Foundation’s website. Add voice to address this issue by signing the petition at www.azadfoundation.org/petition.php

Azad Foundation celebrated International Day for Street Children at Karachi University; demanding identity for street connected children

April 20, 2016

Press Release
Azad Foundation celebrated International Day for Street Children at Karachi University; demanding identity for street connected children

Day: 11th April 2016

Panel discussion on Demanding Right to Identity for Street Connected Children

Venue: Department of Social Sciences (Arts Auditorium)

Azad Foundation organized Panel discussion at Arts Auditorium on the theme, "Street Children demanding their right to identity" to celebrate International Day for Street Children in order to highlight one of the major issues that street children faced everyday: right to identity.

The program proceeded with a documentary movie of Azad Foundation with story of Owais Rehmat, one of the street children who has transformed from Street to normal life. After that the panel discussion was led by Dr. Farah Iqbal.

Mr. Naveed Hassan Khan gave introduction of Azad Foundation and briefed about the journey, and mentioned the hardships faced during the visa procedure, regarding identification of documents, and mentioned with thanks the efforts made by parliamentarians; made it possible for most of the children to make available their identification documents for Street Child World Cup held in 2014.

He shared that in 2011, Consortium of Street Children started a campaign demanding a day for street children by observing International Day for street children on 12th April 2011 and every year onwards.

Dr. Anila Amber Malik discussed on functional literacy, she reflected the impact of psychological developments on the mind of street connected children

Prof. Fateh Burfat mentioned that two of our students have done PHD in Street Children. He discussed about Social responsibility of parenting. He discussed the issue of identity in social perspective; What street connected children should be named. He further mentioned that Kashan e Atfal, one of the NGOs working in Pakistan have those children which do not have any identity. He also discussed on the dark side of society such as illegal births, and raised the point that the killings and dumping of children due to illegal births have intensified this issue more.

Rehan Hashmidiscussed Article 5A that states about free education but there is less or no implementation. He mentioned that in government only few have powers. When we talk about democracy; we talk about distribution of powers to lower administrative level. Kindly mention that we are not a welfare state, SWD should be on district or UC level so that these can take care or holds responsibility of this issue of street children. He suggested rehabilitation centers to be established on District or UC levels that can facilitate these children. He emphasized that these are not the kids of any NGO these are kids of state.

Hamood Jaffery discussed about legitimate rights mentioned in constitution for women and children. He further highlighted case that was presented in supreme court, in 2014 which was related to children who had no identification document. During that case hearing, Justice Azmat Saeed Shiekh passed remarks that those children who are left helpless by their parents or do not have any trace of parents are the state responsibility.

NADRA in that case presented that they have drafted policy in which they mentioned some main points; presented in summary of that case. NADRA highlighted that all orphanage or NGOs who took responsibility of these children will submit the certificate of their affiliation. Upon issue of naming the child If the child is non parent, or orphanage will have random parent name irrespective of NGO. If religion is unknown the child will be Muslim. But this is just a policy not a law that have proper rules. He emphasis that signing treaty is not enough, implementation is necessary.

Monis Ahmer thanked AF and Psychology department and welcomed everyone at Social Sciences dept. He suggested that parliament and stakeholders are to be given deadline that till 2030 the issue of street connected children is to be resolved (15years duration). UNICEF to be taken on board in the mechanism and timeline and are to be taken their consciences on it. He commented that Pakistan failed to become a responsible state; no one wants to take responsibility. He also shared an incident a week ago and pointed that we do intentionally make the street child work and leave the signal without paying for their services. He discussed that it is not only the responsibility of state but the responsibility of each person who claims to be Pakistani citizen; to be a humanitarian in actual.

During Question Answer session upon asking about why only to raise voice for street children and not for whole nation who is divided in many religious and racial groups, Mr. Monis Ahmer shared his opinion that this identity crisis has been created by us. Identity is created when the nation leader work more on reducing corruption, and reduce discrimination factor.

Sir Fathe Burfat shared his experience that in 2011 during his visit to London for some seminar he saw the line written on wall “Do you know your father’s name? if you don’t know come to us.” It was an ad of DNA testing center. Upon inquiring they informed that if you are a British citizen, we have your DNA; they have the data of both the biological father and social father of each British citizen. Through this incident he emphasized that in Pakistan we do not have census, we have no idea about actual population.

Mr. Naveed Hassan Khan shared that in 1955 Sindh Child Act was passed. It mentions that If parents forced the child out of home and lead them to street the police is empowered to send them back home and make sure they do not come back to streets.

Ms. Farah read the resolution and asked for the acceptance from the crowd.

Street Child Games on Top of the World!!

Rio de Janeiro: Young people and volunteers put the Street Child Games firmly on the map on Tuesday when they climbed one of the most iconic landmarks in Rio de Janeiro.

The trip 396 metres up to Sugarloaf Mountain was a first for many, who enjoyed a breathtaking view of the city from the mouth of Guanabara Bay.

Four members forming Pakistan squad along with the officials of Azad Foundation with support of HBL have travelled to Rio to take part in the first-ever Street Child Games and raise awareness of street children’s rights. Pakistan squad will be highlighting one of the major issues faced by millions of at-risk children in Pakistan i.e. Violence against children.

More than a million tourists visit Sugarloaf every year, taking a cable car up to the top of Urca Hill and then a second cable car to the top of the mountain itself. But for these young people, who spent the morning sharing their experience of living on the street at a UN-style congress, the trip was particularly special.

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Naeem, from the Pakistan Squad, is spending his first time in Brazil for the Street Child Games and is treasuring every moment. He said, “I´m having the time of my life right now, it´s a great view, but in my heart I remember there are many children living on the street. He shared, “There are only four Pakistanis here, so while I´m enjoying myself I want them to have the same experience as well.” For him this experience is no less than a dream, “I never imagined I would come here. If someone had said to me ´you will visit Brazil´ I would have considered it a big lie. I´m thankful for this opportunity.¨

Joe Hewitt, Head of the Brazil Office, said the trip to Sugarloaf was a chance for the young people to relax after a morning spent discussing street children’s rights. He said: ¨It’s been a very moving day - that these young people from around the world have stood on the top of Sugarloaf Mountain, each of them saying ´I am somebody´.”

“People have been asking ´who are you and where are you from? ´ These children came from the shadows and today they feel on top of the world.”

¨Rio is a really beautiful city and today they have been able to see the beauty of the city and relax after quite a wonderful, but quite heavy, morning.¨

About Azad Foundation:

Azad Foundation is a registered non-profit organization working with children on streets since 2001. It was the time when the issue of street children was not considered a social problem in Pakistan.

In 2014, following Team Pakistan's participation and superb performance in the Street Child World Cup, Azad Foundation got a resolution passed from the National Assembly unanimously for the social protection, policy and plan of action for the street children in Pakistan.

About HBL:

As Pakistan’s worldwide bank, HBL offers banking solutions to customers in over 25 countries spanning four continents. Its tradition of personalized service and its capacity to respond to customer needs, make it the largest bank in the country for cross-border trade and remittances.

About Street Child United:

UK charity Street Child United uses the power of sport to provide a global platform for street children to be heard so that they receive the safety, support and opportunities that all children deserve.

In March 2016 (14 – 20) the organisation will host the inaugural Street Child Games in Rio de Janeiro Brazil. Former street children from up to 10 countries will unite for a week of Olympic-themed sports, and a Congress promoting street children’s rights. Countries represented will include: Argentina, Burundi, Brazil, Great Britain, Egypt, India, Mozambique, Pakistan and the Philippines.

Pakistan's participation in Street Child Games

March 12, 2016

Pakistan's participation in Street Child Games

Karachi: Azad Foundation proudly announces the participation of 4-member squad of former
Street-Connected Children from Pakistan in Street Child Games 2016 at Rio de Janerio, Brazil
with the support of HBL, the leading commercial bank of Pakistan. In these games former
Street-Connected children from 18 countries will be participating. The Street Child Games will
take place this year from 14
th March, 2016 till 22nd March, 2016 ahead of the Olympic and
Paralympics.

The upcoming Street Child Games has been announced as a charity partner of the Olympic
Truce Movement, which runs through the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2016.
The Olympic Truce Movement is an initiative of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to
encourage education, development, peace and social inclusion through the power of sport. The
Movement was presented by the President of the Organizing Committee Mr. Carlos Nuzman at
the 70th United Nations General Assembly on 26 October 2015 and was signed by 180 UN
member countries.

The Street Child Games will feature a range of Olympic-themed sports, including 100m, 400m,
400m Relay, Hurdles, Shot Put, and Long Jump. It will also include the first ever Street Child
Congress – a model UN-style assembly where children will create a resolution comprising their
demands for the rights of street children worldwide. The Congress will enable the young people
to lead the discussion on the issues and fundamental rights abuses they face: legal identity,
protection from violence and access to education.

Azad Foundation is participating in Street Child Games to highlight one of the major issues
faced by millions of at-risk children in Pakistan i.e. Violence against children. Azad Foundation
envisions a world where rights of every child are protected and no child has to live or work on
the streets. Combating violence against children is first step in realizing that dream. Our
campaign will focus on using sports as a tool to eliminate violence against children. Azad
Foundation imparts knowledge through non-formal education and life-skills sessions during
sports activities.

On Friday 18th March, Team Pakistan will present their Rio Resolution focusing on Protection
from Violence at the Congress General Assembly to city officials, national governments and the
United Nations.

Street Child Football Team-Pakistan under the patronage of Azad Foundation previously won
the Bronze medal in Street Child World Cup 2014 (SCWC) organized few months before the FIFA
World Cup in Rio de Janerio, Brazil.

About Azad Foundation:

Azad Foundation is a registered non-profit organization working with children on streets since
2001. It was the time when the issue of street children was not considered a social problem in
Pakistan. Initiated as a social discussion forum in 1998 as Azad Group, we soon came to realize
that this marginalized group is absent in development sector interventions and public policy.
We established Azad Foundation as a research based organization but considering the gap in
service provision and advocacy, developed interventions to address immediate needs of this
group. While providing health and medical care, non-formal education, life-skills, psychosocial
counseling and transit shelter we kept on building capacity of relevant government
departments and played part in policy development for sustainable government interventions
can support and protect these children.

In 2014, following Team Pakistan's participation and superb performance in the Street Child
World Cup, Azad Foundation got a resolution passed from the National Assembly unanimously
for the social protection, policy and plan of action for the street children in Pakistan.
Pakistani squad of Street Child Games-2016 will depart from Jinnah International Terminal,
Karachi via Emirate’s flight no. EK-603 at 10:30 PM on 12th March, 2016.

For further information and updates on Team Pakistan and the Street Child Games-2016, please
contact:

Sumbul Haider

shaider@azadfoundation.org

Tel: 34820617

Mobile: 03333025911

Qasim Raza

qraza@azadfoundation.org

Mobile: 03360351974

Children's Day Celebration with Pakistan Street Children Football Team Pakistan

March 12, 2016

Karachi: Azad Foundation organized one-day art activity named 'Artful Expressions' for celebrating Children's Day on 20th November, 2015 with Pakistan Street Football Team Pakistan and street-connected children at its rehabilitation center, Dehleez.

The event started at 3:00pm with opening speech defining the importance of children's day and their rights. Aspiring artist from different institutes participated in creating art pieces on the themes of 'Children rights: Right to play and Right to education'. Moreover, street-connected children who are already receiving rehabilitation services at Dehleez, and Team Pakistan, second runner up at the Street Child World Cup 2014 organized by Street Child United in Rio, Brazil, was also a part of the event.

Azad Foundation is a non-governmental and non-political organization working for the rehabilitation and re-integration of children associated with streets since 2001 who is committed to improve the well-being and enhance the self-esteem of alienated & excluded street children through unconditional positive support, with a view to reunify them with their families and reintegrate them into the society. AF has resolved to ensure and establish that every street child is enabled to contribute to the structure of society in the sense of harmony, peace and socially integrated living.

Azad Foundation has achieved many milestones. Last year our football team, comprising of street children, took part in Street Child World Cup (SCWC) held in Rio-Brazil where they won the bronze-medals for our country. This year team participated in Chicago KICS Cup in which they got 2nd position in U-16 & 3rd position in Norway Cup 2015 wining bronze medal and made our nation proud.

Through this 'Artful Expression' AF aimed to advocate children rights / protection & change the negative perceptions of street children in Pakistan. The event has also provided an opportunity to share and express their artistic talent and learn more about child rights and protection. This will pave the way for understanding the role and responsibilities entrusted in youth.

Street Children Football Team Pakistan's participation in Norway Cup 2015

February 18, 2016

KARACHI: Street children football team Pakistan participated in Norway Cup 2015 in Oslo started on July 26th, 2015 till August 01st, 2015.

The Norway Cup is the world's largest International youth football tournament attracting more than 1500 teams each year in different boys and girls events in the Under-12 to Under-19 competitions. It has featured over 47,000 teams since the tournament’s inception in 1972, with over 1,400 teams participating in the competition in 2013 alone.

The Pakistani squad for the competition consisted of 16 team members including individuals from team of street child world cup 2014 and new players who were selected after rigorous trials took place before the tournament in the month of June, 2015 in Karachi.

Team played total 10 matches from which they won total nine matches and reserved third position on victory stand. Team Pakistan became first Asian team who won bronze medal in Norway Cup tournament. Match score details are as under:

Nest-Sotra/ Nordre Fjell 1

0 : 5

Team Pakistan

Kragerø IF

0 : 6

Team Pakistan

Hødd 2

0 : 2

Team Pakistan

Tertnes

0 : 4

Team Pakistan

Tana BK

1 : 2

Team Pakistan

Rahover FC

1 : 1

Team Pakistan

Lørenskog 1

0 : 2

Team Pakistan

Lyn

0 : 0

Team Pakistan

Senja

1 : 1

Team Pakistan Penalties (2:4)

Søgne FK 1

0 : 1

Team Pakistan (For 3rd Position)

Team Pakistan has previously won the Bronze medal in Street Child World Cup (SCWC) held in Rio de Janerio, Brazil last year. Team has also participated in Norway cup 2014 where they unfortunately lost in quarter-finals but they won the hearts of the audience.

Street Children Football Team Pakistan’s participation in Chicago Cup 2015

February 18, 2016

Karachi: Street Child Football Team Pakistan with the support of Azad Foundation and HBL participated in Chicago KICS cup started from July 21, 2015 till July 26, 2015 at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, Chicago, Illinois. The not only participated but also won 2nd position in U-16 on victory stands in Chicago KICS Cup.
Chicago KICS is an acronym for “Kids in Chicago Soccer” – International Youth Tournament is a week-long soccer tournament bringing together young athletes, families, and soccer fans from across the globe. Chicago KICS registered teams from around the world including Israel, Palestine, Pakistan, Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Jordan, Kenya, Nigeria and Puerto Rico. Players and supporters will have the opportunity to mingle with other participating international teams while enjoying live entertainment. It will also provide participants a platform for competition, camaraderie and cultural exchange.
Team Pakistan played total three matches in Chicago KICS Cup from which they lost only one match against San Carlos Costa Rica. The Tournament was decided on points basis in which team Pakistan was on second position in U-16. Match score details are as under:
Matches:
Team Pakistan 0 : 3 San Carlos Costa Rica
Team Pakistan 1 : 0 GFC Mustangs
Team Pakistan 2:0 RB United
After their victory in Chicago KICS, Team Pakistan arrived in Oslo, Norway on 26th July, 2015 for their participation in Norway Cup 2015.
Team Pakistan has previously won the Bronze medal in Street Child World Cup (SCWC) held in Rio de Janerio, Brazil last year. Team has also participated in Norway cup 2014 where they unfortunately lost in quarter-finals but they won the hearts of the audience.

Cambridge Ambassador Program

February 18, 2016

The program challenges the negative perceptions and treatment of street children partnering with organizations in 19 countries across the world. Their inaugural Cambridge Ambassadorial Program will unite six young people to enhance their life skills over an intensive ten-week period providing English Language lessons and ambassadorial training. The program will finish with young ambassadors taking part in the Street Child United Summit in London in September, 2015 at Amnesty Centre for Human Rights in London.
SCU teamed up with Studio Cambridge English Language School, the oldest Language School in UK providing English Language lessons alongside a unique programme of events helping former street children improve their English and continue in their personal development as ambassadors for street children’s rights.
The general outline for the Ambassadors was to attend classes from Mondays-Fridays every day where they had their lessons from 9am-3pm. After classes (Monday-Thursday) there had a choice of activities organized for them by the Studio Cambridge.
On Friday afternoons, the school finished at 12.30pm and the young Ambassadors were involved in something fun, new and exciting activities every week. These activities were conducted in Cambridge, sometimes in London and in other parts of England. All these wide array of activities were aimed at providing these Ambassadors the opportunity to develop new skills to take back home, and to give them a chance to tell their story in a way that they’d want to tell it, and help them make the most of their time in England.
The programme enabled these young people to develop as ambassadors for street children in their own countries and internationally, raising vital awareness about the challenges street children face and what needs to be done to support them. A young person who can speak from experience about life on the streets makes a very powerful spokesperson.

Street Children Football Team Pakistan participating in Norway Cup 2015

May 12, 2015

KARACHI: Street children football team Pakistan is all set to participate in Norway Cup 2015 in Oslo staring from 26th July, 2015 to 01st August, 2015.

Reham Khan appointed as ambassador for street children

April 14, 2015

PESHAWAR: The provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has nominated Mrs. Reham Khan as the ambassador for street children in a ceremony called for International Day for Street Children on Sunday 12 April, 2015.